The Jorhat Medical College and Hospital(JMCH) is facing difficulties in preserving the body of the 76-year-old tourist from the United Kingdom who died aboard a luxury cruise in Assam on January 31st, 2020.
The tourist Alastair Neil Macdonald who was a part of the 60-member British tourist group in Northeast breathed his last on the ‘Charaideo II’ while returning from a week-long tour in Upper Assam.
His body was taken to the JMCH by the police where the doctors confirmed his death and thereafter the post mortem was done following the medical procedure.
Reports stated that the cooling unit of the JMCH morgue which has four chambers to store four bodies has been facing a major issue for three years due to technical defects in the cooling unit. Due to this, the team has been facing difficulties in keeping the bodies in good condition.
Meanwhile, the JMCH has arranged a temporary measure to preserve the body by bringing a portable cooling unit from a cremation ground. Reports claimed that they would soon need another arrangement as they have to take another measure after 72 hours of the death.
Sources informed that despite intimating about the issue to the higher authorities of the Health Department nothing has been done to fix the issue.
Police sources informed that the British High Commission is contacting the tourist’s family so that they can arrive and take the body back.
Photo Credit: RituRaj Phukan
